Easy Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

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Tis the season, right? Actually … it’s always the season for a nice hot cup of cocoa in my opinion, and my kiddos will agree!

This EASY Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate recipe is one that we make quite often around here and my entire family loves it. In fact, we think it’s the very best hot chocolate recipe around and I think you will agree!

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe {Slow Cooker or Stovetop!}

Are you ready for a real hot chocolate recipe that is not only a delicious drink but it has the most wonderful chocolate flavor unlike any hot cocoa recipe you’ve tried. Get out your favorite mugs and gather all of the family members because this easy recipe will make the most perfect winter treat!

And the best part? It’s so easy to make – made with simple ingredients and so much better than the dry ingredient hot chocolate mixture packets that you’ll find in grocery stores.

Another added bonus to making this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe on the stovetop is that it will make your entire home smell wonderful!

Ingredients for making Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop

Whole milk

Heavy cream

White chocolate chips

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Pure vanilla extract

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

Marshmallows – we love the mini marshmallows

Sprinkles/Chocolate or Caramel Syrup/crushed peppermint, candy cane stirrers, cinnamon sticks, a teaspoon ground cinnamon for sprinkling, a chocolate bar / chocolate shavings – either dark chocolate or milk work great. Whipped cream topped with milk chocolate chips is another favorite variation.

Supplies:

Large pot or slow cooker

How to make Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop

1. Add 4oz of white chocolate chips to the bottom of your large saucepan.

2. Mix in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.

3. Mix in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.

4. Heat on medium-low heat until the chocolate chips have melted and most of the cocoa powder has mixed in.

5. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher to sift out any cocoa powder residue.

6. Pour back into your pot and use a ladle to scoop into a cup and serve with marshmallows.

*note: This recipe was doubled for these photos

How to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker

If you are going to make this easy hot chocolate recipe in the slow cooker follow all of the instructions above.

Add all ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high for 1.5 hours.

More Favorite Hot Drink Recipes

If you are looking for more yummy hot chocolate or hot chocolate bombs recipes, make sure to check out these other favorites that we have shared – all are perfect for cold winter days and special occasions!

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Bomb

Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe

Hot Chocolate Spoons

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Build Your Own Chocolate Bar

And definitely make sure to check out my recipe for homemade whipped cream hearts, the perfect topping for your creamy hot chocolate! Want to get even fancier? Check our these darling homemade mug topper cookies!

Nothing beats a creamy hot cocoa on a old winter day and I’m confident that you and yours will love this easy homemade hot cocoa recipe, it’s the good stuff and a yummy way to celebrate with friends and family on a cold day!

More ideas for making this chocolaty flavor treat:

Depending on what we have, we top it with different things and change it up a bit. My daughter loves to add sprinkles on top. However, my son and hubby love crushed peppermint with chocolate syrup.

Once you make it a time or two you’ll feel more comfortable adjusting the ingredients.

As you can see, it’s a fun and pretty flexible hot chocolate recipe and it would also make a fantastic party treat where you could let guests each pick their own topping!

For best results, I recommend always making this stovetop hot chocolate right before you serve it so your hot chocolate tastes it’s best. Basically, it’s the perfect drink to serve with a ladle straight from the pot!

More Favorite Hot Drink Recipes

If you love homemade drink recipes, I’ve got some other winter favorites for you:

Russian Tea Mix Recipe

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Frozen Whipped Cream Hearts

Frozen Movie Themed Blue Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate Spoons Recipe

Make sure to follow She Saved on Pinterest for more DIY, Craft and Recipe sharing!

Print the Recipe for Stovetop Hot Chocolate

Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe

Delicious and a wonderful winter treat, this stovetop hot chocolate recipe is a family favorite and a delicious treat on a cold snowy day! I've included instructions for making this on the stovetop as well as in the slow cooker, take your pick - either way, this is one homemade hot chocolate recipe you will love!

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

• Marshmallows, Sprinkles/Chocolate or Caramel Syrup/crushed peppermint, etc (optional and not shown)

Supplies:

• Large pot or slow cooker

Instructions

How to make Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop

1. Add 4oz of white chocolate chips to the bottom of your pot.
2. Mix in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.
4. Heat on medium heat until the chocolate chips have melted and most of the cocoa powder has mixed in.
5. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher to sift out any cocoa powder residue.
6. Pour back into your pot and use a ladle to scoop into a cup and serve with marshmallows.

How to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker

If you are going to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow cooker follow all of the instructions above.

Add all ingredients to pot and cook on high for 1.5 hours.

Did you make this recipe?

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